Meeting discussionsStart with a topic.

She's probably at practice. Third place in the 200, fourth place in the 100. So, she did a lot of good. She did a lot of work. Wyatt, come on up, Wyatt. Y'all see all that jury he got on his neck? Wyatt got out there and did an impressive fourth place in the 3200 meter and fifth place in the 1600 meter. And I actually got another one of your medals in my car I got to give to you. So we we celebrate you why. Great job. Later, we're not done with you. Later also in the open 400 meter plays fourth. Raise your hand later. They probably forgot who you are. There you go. Ariana, she's not here. She placed fourth place in the 100, sixth place in the 200. She's all state. Callie Cruz, fifth place in the 400. Yeah. So, she she got a open medal, too. She's all state. Thomas Green Honess. Thomas, come on up here. Is that your real name, Thomas? That's not what we call him. Thomas. His mom is here, too. All right. We hoping to get her on this on the uh on the staff soon. Thomas came in. Is this Thomas first year? I think this is his this his first year. Thomas is all state. He placed fifth place in the 50 meter and eighth place in the long jump. And uh yeah, we expect some big things from her going forward. It really locked in in the end. Where's MJ at? Michael. Michael Gilmore. Come on up here. And his mom, raise your hand, Maul. Michael came on. This is his first year running track. He normally does football. He's great on the football team, but he came out here and put forth a great effort and locked in. And he's All State, sixth place in the softball throw. Great job. Last but not least, Eevee.

Eevee Baker. Come on up here, Eevee. Eevee's been hanging around the track team for a long time because her brother over there in the corner R.J. is a national champion. He said he's healing from an injury, but she's been watching them now. She's up there on the medal getting those getting these medals. Uh so Eevee is all state. She plays sixth place in the 1600 meter. And this more every we look forward to the growth. Right. All right. Congratulations. These are our state champions, y'all. Ricky, let's get up. Oh, did I miss somebody? Oh, I'm sorry. Wade, get up here, Wade. I'm sorry, man. Wade got all that jewelry on. I almost forgot about him. Wade placed sixth place in the standing long jump. Fifth place in the shot put. And I'm pretty sure I got another medal for you, too, Wade. Made me in my car, so we'll figure it out. All right. Congratulations, Wade. This is Wade's first year, too, running track. Okay. Hey, coaches, come on up. Can I stand next to y'all? Is that all right? We have everybody Hey, come on. You come right here with me. You come right here with me. All right. Three, two, one. Thank you. Great job, y'all. Congratulations. Congrats. Thank you. Hey, thank you, Todd. Appreciate you. See you in a little bit. Yep. All right, we have two more presentations before we get into our uh formal agenda, formal business agenda. And the first is we have uh how many how many have gone through? 23. 23 Smyrna citizens who have spent the last several months going through the Smyrna Citizens Academy and they're graduating from that program tonight and and I want to thank them all for their time and dedication and and effort to that program and I I hope that it was good for you all to learn kind of behind the behind the curtain stuff about how things work and all our departments and our staff and we really appreciate you going going through the process.

I'll turn it over to you for talking a little bit about the program and then introducing the graduates. Yes, thank you so much. Um, good evening everyone. My name is Evie Ramsey. I'm the administrative coordinator here at Smyrna. And over the past 11 weeks, this group has dedicated their Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn about the great city of Smyrna and local government. I think they've just done a wonderful job and I think all the departments have as well. So, tonight we're going to celebrate their accomplishments with a certificate of completion. And um graduates, as y'all come up, please make sure we stay at the front so we can get a picture when everybody's done. So, with that being said, we're going to go ahead and get started with the first being Shannon Olville. You want to pass him? Thank you. We'll let you have your moment. No, you're good. You got it. Congratulations. And second being Angela Black. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. Next being Marquetta Brian. [Applause] Congratulations, Tanya [Applause] Bryant. You're welcome. Congratulations, Ryan Capacio. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations, Charlotte Dorsey. [Applause] Congratulations, Philip [Applause] D. Congratulations, Clara Hodes. [Applause] Jason Jeff. [Applause] [Music] A that was so cute. Elaine Jones. [Applause] Walter [Applause] Kohus, Heather Marriott. [Applause] Congratulations. You're welcome. Rich McCoy, [Applause] William Morgan, [Applause] let me shake your hand. Come here. Sounds good. Leavon Oani. [Applause] Good. Thank you. Francisco Ramirez, Bescar Srid, Haron, [Applause] William Sutton. Yay. tea. Where she at? Dela Thomas Sophie Tonkova. Congratulations. Thank you. And that concludes our graduation. We're very proud of y'all. We're going to get a picture of everyone. So, we come in front of the podium a little bit and kind of crowd around. Okay, I'm gonna squeeze in. All smile. wasn't smart. Thank you for your time, y'all. Thank you. Appreciate you.

Thank you for Yes, sir. Good. I'm glad. And lastly, but certainly not least, uh, prior to our formal business, we are recognizing some longstanding businesses here in the city of Smyrna, some of which have been doing business for 20 years all the way up to 60 years here in the Jonquil city. And I have a proclamation. Not all of them are here this evening. I know that um Lily Glass Blowers is here. They've 60 years. Uh there's there's a few I mean that's unbelievable. Going to read this proclamation and then invite those who are here to come up and be recognized. proclamation by the mayor of the city of Smyrna in recognition of National Small Business Week and to honor businesses in Smyrna celebrating 20, 25, 30, 40, 55, and 60-year anniversaries. Whereas, the president of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week every year since 1963 to highlight the programs and services available to entrepreneurs through the US Small Business Administration and other government agencies. And whereas this country's 32.5 million small businesses create nearly two out of three jobs in our economy, the city of Smyrna supports and joins in this national effort to help America's small businesses do what they do best, grow their business, create jobs, and ensure that all our local communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are today. And whereas in 2025, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 20 years in our community. The Realy Group, Gracie, Viscara, Mitchell Medals, Woodchase Academy, Dr. Gary Whites, Fiser Orthodontics, Big Bear Construction, Maya Weston Company, Proare Cleaners, Humphre and Company, UUA Printing, Heads Us Barberhop, and whereas in 2025, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 25 years in our community. Northwest Speakers and Equipment, Atlanta Coffee Supply Group, Aral Veterinary Care, Tamar Hair Solutions, Tamar Hair Salon, Jennifer's Nails, and whereas in 2025, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 30 years in our community, BT Income Tax.

And whereas in 2025, the following small business in Smyrna are celebrating 40 years in our community. Atlanta Road Body Shop, Ron McCle, State Farm Insurance, and the Herb Shop. And whereas in 2025, the following small business in in Smyrna is celebrating 55 years in our community. Sparkles Smyrna, 55 years, y'all. And whereas in 2025, the following small business in Smyrna is celebrating 60 years in our community. Lily Glass Blowers. Wow. Where Whereas during National Small Business Week, City of Smyrna acknowledges and celebrates the achievements made by all small businesses, including those celebrating significant milestones in our community. Now therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of the city of Smyrna, do hereby proclaim proclaim May 4th through May 10th, 2025 as National Small Business Week in Smyrna and a week of recognition for all of the small businesses in Smyrna and encourage all city residents, officials, and staff to acknowledge and support the small businesses in our community. You want to you want to say anything or invite these folks up? Well, you said I could, so I will. There you go. So, uh, as your economic development director, I just want to say, you know, the small businesses are the really the heart of this community. Um, and you know, frankly, you work very, very hard and and it's amazing to think. I was in Smyrna 20 years ago when uh Dr. Fischer was getting his start downtown and he's since expanded and moved to another location here in Smyrna. you know, it it takes a lot to do what you guys do and so we're really happy to be able to celebrate you here today. So, if you would come up here and I will give you a copy of your proclamation and let's take a picture. [Applause] Congratulations. Thank you very much. in front of the podium. Come on. Come on over. How you doing?

I'm good. How are you? Come on in, y'all. That's where I come up here, too. Everybody ready? Smile. Count. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you all. Awesome. I think the longevity of those businesses in Smyrna shows that with this community supports our our local small businesses and we'll continue to do it. Thank you all so much for doing business in our city. Man, the crowd is a lot thinner now, isn't it? We uh we're going to go on to our formal business uh agenda now. We have Item seven is community development items. Item A, this is a public hearing zoning request Z25- Z004 allow reszoning from R15 to RMC8 conditional for the development of seven single family homes at a density of seven units per acre land lot 528 1.01 acres. This is 2731 and 2743 Bell Drive EIB properties LLC. This is in ward 1. Councilman Pickkins has business travel this evening and is unable to join us. So, Council Member Lindley will be handling this issue, but we'll turn it over to Rusty Martin. Good evening, Rusty Martin, community development director for the city of Smyrna. Uh, this resoning case uh went before the planning and zoning board on April 14th. Uh, their recommendation uh from that public hearing was approval by a vote of 40. Um, so it comes to you guys tonight uh with the recommendation of approval from the PNZ board and from staff. Um, the subject properties are located on Bell Drive, 2731 and 2743. Um, they're just over an acre in size. Um, right now there are two single family homes on those lots. the the applicant is proposing to tear down those two single family homes and build seven new uh single family detached homes. Um the existing zoning is R15. They're proposing to change that zoning to RMC8 conditional uh with a density of seven units per acre for the development.

The future land use for the area is regional activity center and with this request there's no change to that um regional activity center designation and it'll remain the same. This is a proposed site plan. As you see there are three homes um facing uh Bell Drive with a detention facility on that side and then four homes on uh Woodland Terrace. the RMC8 zoning district setbacks there. This uh applicant is proposing a 15 foot front setback, five foot side setbacks and 25 ft rear setback. And you got your three homes on on Bell Drive, your four homes on um Woodland Terrace. You have a 5-ft sidewalk and two-foot grass strip on both um Woodland Terrace and Bell Drive. The storm water detention facility is located in the southwest corner of the property and that'll tie into the city's existing storm water management uh facilities. Uh with this request, there's six single f there's six variances requested. Um the first deals with a reduction in lot size from uh 12,000 square foot down to 5,000 square ft. Uh the second deals with a reduction in the minimum lot width from 100 ft down to 50. Um number three is a reduction in the front setback from 50 to 15 ft. Uh four is a reduction in the minimum side set back from 10 ft to five. And uh number five is a reduction in the rear setback from 30 feet to 25. And finally uh increase the maximum allowable co uh lot coverage from 35 ft to 45 ft. This is the um two homes that are are part of the application in the lots and then some of the surrounding uh development that uh is on Bell Drive and then Woodland Terrace. Community Development is recommending approval of the requested uh variant or requested reszoning from R15 to RMC8 uh at a density of seven units per acre with uh the following conditions.

Uh the first one deals with the is a standard condition and it deals with composition of the homes and uh the facade materials. Uh number two requires a an HOA as part of the development to maintain the detention facility. Uh number four deals with the retention pond. Uh number three is not applicable to this development uh due to the the size of the property um and amount of square footage uh needed for open space. Number four deals with the retention pond and screening that from the public. Number five deals with the utilities being placed underground. Number six, um requires the developer to be responsible for any traffic improvements uh during the development of the site. Seven uh prohibits debris from being buried in the common area. Number eight, um requires the developer to install decorative street lights. Number nine um requires the developer to comply with the city's tree ordinance and that number 10 requires the tree plan to be done by a registered landscape architect. And then 11 and 12 deal with um soding the the open space area and then uh a tree planting schedule for each lot. There are special conditions. Uh 13 is calls out the the setbacks for the site. 14 requires the minimum lot size to be 5,353 feet and the minimum lot width to be 50 feet. Um 16 increases the impervious surface area to the 45% per lot and 17 requires a minimum driveway length 22 feet. Uh 18 is a rightaway dedication on Woodland Terrace because that uh rightway is substandard. Uh so help bring it up to the 50-foot um standard for the city. Number 19 requires the installation of the 5-ft sidewalk on both Bell Drive and Woodland Terrace. And then 20 and 21 tie the development to the site plan and building elevations uh shown uh earlier. With that, I'll be happy to answer any questions for you.

Any questions of Rusty? Have no questions. I'd like to invite the applicant up. Evening, Mr. Mayor, uh, council. Kevin Moore here on behalf of the applicant EIB properties in this application. Um, and I'll I'll be brief tonight. This is a smaller project, uh, but one we think that starts to fill in a gap that's located there on Bell Drive and Woodland Terrace. Um, I think Mr. Martin did an excellent job of uh reviewing the zoning application, the particulars and the technical aspects of it. Uh but this uh application is for seven detached homes uh in this uh property that's just over an acre. Uh the property is really surrounded by uh town home developments because this particular area of Bell and Woodland Terrace uh has been redeveloped uh over recent time uh as you're coming uh away from 41 uh on spring and then turn off in this area. It's been very much redeveloped uh largely with town homes and very nice town home developments. Most of them exceeding 10 or 12 units per acre and it looks it looks very very good. has been an excellent development, excellent community. Uh in this particular instance, uh these remaining properties, uh there's actually remaining five properties, three of which simply aren't available uh right now. They are those particular owners are waiting uh for long-term leases that they've had long-term tenants for. Uh they want to don't want to kick them out of their house. Uh and so is one of them. Another one simply wants to continue to own it and live there. So those will come available. uh but just not available right now. These two properties though are uh and in looking at uh the development arrangement here uh with uh with these properties, we did not believe town homes would be the right way to go here that we felt like detached homes would finish this off very nicely uh provide for a different home product.

Uh in addition uh by having town homes, we were concerned with having more driveways out onto Bell and Woodland Terrace. It wouldn't just it wouldn't sit right with the way the rest of that uh redevelopment has occurred. But uh with fewer uh detached homes, we feel it makes for good land use planning. Uh we have submitted home elevations and house renderings to city staff. They're excellent homes that will be built here in keeping with the redevelopment that's already occurred. uh what's proposed is consistent with your future land use plan designation. Uh we have uh presented this to your planning and zoning board and received a recommendation of approval. Uh staff has looked at this and also recommends approval with the list of conditions uh that we have worked with staff on and are in agreement with all of those conditions. We feel like it's a good reasoning. This will set up the remaining three properties so they can all be developed like this in the future hopefully. uh and we'll finish this particular area off for redevelopment uh and do so in a very meaningful quality manner. I'm here and can answer any questions that you may have and appreciate uh your consideration tonight and respectfully request approval uh with staff's conditions. Thank you each. Thank you. Any questions? Mr. Lindley. Thank you uh Mr. more and thank you as always for working with uh not only council member Pickkins but with with staff. Uh what's the timeline and do we have any idea on price point? Sure. Uh timeline is fairly immediate. Uh once if if approval occurs uh they'll move straight into final engineering design and and step forward. So they'll move forward very quickly on this. Uh the price points here will be in the say call it 500s uh which is comparable uh but a little bit more than what maybe some of the town homes may have been going for there because these are detached homes.

So uh that's kind of the the spot they're looking for. Thank you. Thank you. All right. This is a public hearing. I'd like to invite anybody now who wants to speak on this item to be sworn in uh by our city attorney. Is there anybody here who'd like to speak for or against this item? All right, seeing none, uh we'll close the public hearing and I'll turn it over to Councilman Lindley. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh having conferred with Council Member Pickkins and again, thanks to uh staff as always and uh Mr. Moore think satisfied. This is a great project. And with that motion due pass is presented. Have a motion do pass. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Welch. Everyone, please vote. Miss Hines, I think we're just We're having technical difficulty. How do you vote in the affirmative? Okay. And that's approved. 6. Thank you. And just a personal note, my first home in Smyrna was right in the entrance to the neighborhood at the end of Bell Drive. and and uh I've I've witnessed all those homes build and I think it's been a pretty good improvement over there. Uh I hope that my former neighbors agree. So, uh thank you for continuing that development. We don't have any privilege license or show cause hearings tonight. We'll move on to formal business. Item A, approval of Mike Jones as interim city administrator, administer his oath of office by city attorney Scott Cochran, and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents, contract documents. And uh, as you may know, um, our former city administrator, Joe Bennett, retired recently after over 30 years of service to the city of Smyrna. And we have tonight with us Mike Jones, who's no stranger to the city of Smyrna.

He was uh our city administrator uh previously uh for for a stint and uh has most recently served as vice president Georgia regional manager with WK Dixon and Company. He served as principal engineer of Edison Engineering Group. Um additional experience includes county administrator for Pauling County Board of Commissioners from January 2009 to March 2015. I got to know Mike in my ter my first term on the city council. Um he we overlapped a little bit with that. I'm glad to have you here. I'd like to invite you up now. Um anything you'd like to say before this important vote? This is your chance. You got to go speak into the microphone. Don't you remember how this works? I'm not used to being on this side. Um, but I appreciate the confidence in the mayor and council in me. I look forward to returning as a city administrator for uh the city of Smyrna. There is an incredible lot of momentum that's here in Smyrna. The construction that you have going on is impressive. The growth that's occurring and not only just the growth in and of itself, but the quality of the growth that's growing. A lot of good public improvement projects, the park projects fantastic. The downtown area looks as good as it ever has. Hats off to all of you for that. But um I I would uh if you will have me as your city administrator, I will accept wholeheartedly and give you everything I got. Mayor, I know that to be true. So I guess before you take the oath of office, we better uh we better take a vote, huh? All right. All those uh do I have a motion to approve? Do pass. Motion to pass. Second by Mr. Welch. Everyone, please vote. We're waiting on Mr. Welch and Miss Hines. Having technical difficulties. How do y'all vote?